Prolight + Sound 2015: Robert Wilson to Hold the Keynote Lecture at the Theatre and Film Colloquium

	Robert Wilson. Photo: Lesley Leslie Spinks

Texas-born Robert Wilson, one of the world's most active and influential theatre and opera directors, will give the keynote speech at the Theatre and Film Colloquium during this year's Prolight + Sound. The high-grade seminar is part of the new Stagery segment for visitors and exhibitors from the theatre, film, and stage business, which has been added to the spectrum already covered by the world's leading trade fair for the sector. The speech will be given in Galleria 1 at Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Center on Thursday, April 16.

"We are delighted that one of the theatre world's leading personalities, Robert Wilson, has agreed to speak at the Theatre and Film Colloquium. With lectures by leading experts, the program underscores the great importance of the theatre segment at Prolight + Sound 2015," says Prolight + Sound director Michael Biwer. "Our special thanks go to Florian von Hofen, CTO of Rogue AVE, for making the contact to Robert Wilson and his great help in arranging this extra-special highlight."

Born in Waco, Texas, in 1941, Wilson has over 50 years' experience in the theatre business. He earned worldwide renown with his production of the opera Einstein on the Beach in 1976. Subsequently, he concentrated on productions in Europe and has worked, inter alia, at the 'Schaubühne' in Berlin, the Thalia Theater in Hamburg, Zurich Opera House and the Opéra Bastille in Paris, as well as at the Salzburg Festival. He has directed many celebrated works such as Parsifal, The Magic Flute, Lohengrin, Madame Butterfly, Woyzeck, The Ring of the Nibelung, The Threepenny Opera, and A Winter's Tale. He is particularly renowned in the sector for his creative and bold use of event technology, as well as his excellent lighting. Most recently, he attracted great attention with his opulent production of Peter Pan with the Berliner Ensemble theatre company.

Wilson is the holder of the Goethe Medal. In 1993, he was awarded the Golden Lion for sculpture at the Venice Biennale for his installation "Memory/Loss." He is a member of the Berlin Academy of Arts and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

In 2015, Prolight + Sound will hold a comprehensive program of lectures offering valuable insights into theatre technology, stage settings, costume design, and legal issues. In addition to Wilson, renowned theatre expert Andy Hayles will hold a keynote lecture. Hayles is CEO of Charcoalbue (London / New York), a successful international firm of consultants for theatre technology with renowned clients such as the Royal Shakespeare Company. In his lecture on April 16, he will talk about theatre design and new technologies, and take a look into the future of the sector. Other speakers include Jonas Schira of Gerriets GmbH, costume designer Riccarda Merten-Eichler, lighting designer Herbert Cybulska, and Axel Dietrich Berger, specialist for occupational safety on film productions.

The Theatre and Film Colloquium is part of the Stagery segment at Prolight + Sound 2015, which not only includes the comprehensive seminar program but also an extensive range of theatre technology and equipment and an exclusive VIP customer program for theatre planners.